7 Ways to Recruit Electricians

Are you finding it challenging to recruit electricians for your business? There's a high chance that when you post a job opening, the right candidates are not seeing it.

Part of effective recruitment involves posting job ads with the desired skills and certifications. This part seems obvious, but where most get wrong. Your focus should be that these ads stand out in job search results.

If you do this right, you'll increase the chances of finding ideal applicants. Here's the guide that'll put you on the right recruitment path.

The Demand For Electricians

The great thing about this field is that energy demands will increase. That remains true even if we develop more energy-efficient materials.

As of 2023, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics had projected a 6% growth in the electrician field from 2022 to 2032. However, the industry faces continuous candidate shortages.

Since 2022, there's an average of 390,000 monthly job openings. We can also expect the creation of around 80,000 new jobs through 2031.

Marketing Your Electrician Role

With such a high demand for electricians, a best practice is to always be promoting your electrician roles. Your proactiveness will build a candidate pipeline and prevent costly consequences if unexpected attrition occurs. Most importantly, it will save you time.

For effective recruitment marketing, conduct a competitor analysis and use those insights to create a strategy to bolster your employer branding and company culture. This should include SEO optimized content highlighting your open roles, employee value proposition, core values and why you're a Best Place to Work. Feature your smiling team members and fun company events in photos and videos. Traditional employee testimonials are recommended, but to really pique a candidate's interest consider shooting short videos: "Day in the Life of a Master Electrician, Journeyman, Apprentice, or CSR". Giving a compelling sneak peek into the role helps candidates to visualize themselves in their shoes. Not only will this increase a candidate's excitement to work for your company, but it will also filter out uninterested candidates.

Once your content is produced, your messaging needs to extend beyond your four walls. Leverage your current assets: Careers page on your website, social media channels, a digital newsletter, and blog articles. Next create your company profile on employment websites and online job boards your ideal candidates visit. Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn are well known, but don't forget about industry-specific channels. To increase your exposure, consider paid digital marketing options such as Geofencing, Event Targeting, or Pay Per Click Advertising.

Your goal is to stand out from your competitors and become known in your market as The Employer of Choice. Educating people about your company's value is only one side of the coin. The other side is to nurture and develop your team members so that they become Brand Ambassadors for you. Whether it's at a job fair, community event or just hanging out with friends, you want your employees to organically tell people how much they love their career and your company.

Effective Job Posts

Creating an effective job posting is a crucial step in the process. Below, you'll find key points to keep in mind.

Clear Keyword-Driven Description

Use industry-standard job titles and clear, direct language that's easy to scan on the eyes. Avoid gimmicky titles like "electricity ninja" or "wiring rock star." You don't want your electrician hopefuls to think your listing is a scam.

Clearly Defined Responsibilities

List clear tasks and projects that the candidate will work on or need prior experience. Merge responsibilities into four to six bullet points at most.

Compensation and Benefits

Candidates value quick transparency into salary and perks. Strike a balance between describing the job and enticing the candidate with benefits.

Opportunity for Growth

Most job seekers want to know that they can have long-term growth in their careers. As such, highlight possible career paths and training prospects to incentivize candidates.

Unique Company Culture

One thing that is often overlooked is the company's culture. Reflect your company's values and work environment into your listing to stand out.

Format Layout for Mobile

50.48% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your website isn't adjusted for mobile, you'll lose out on those who want to learn more about your company.

Remember, the aim is to draw stronger applicants with the set skills to succeed in their roles. If you keep the above points in mind and apply them, you'll have a great foundation for new hires.

The Interview Process

The interview process should check technical and soft skills. Technical skills are critical, but so are communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Balance these aspects by applying the framework below.

Preparation

Familiarize yourself with common interview questions for electricians. Tailor these questions to your company's specific needs.

Technical Assessment

Test the candidate's technical skills and knowledge. Ask about their wiring knowledge, safety practices, and insights on the National Electrical Code.

Consider setting up mock environments to mimic real jobs in the field. It may not be the conventional way things happen, but it is a far more accurate way to assess ability and aptitude.

Soft Skills Evaluation

Assess the candidate's communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Ask questions about past behavior to gauge how they react in certain situations.

Cultural Fit

Consider how well the candidate fits into your company culture. You can question their work style, values, and long-term career goals.

Feedback and Follow-up

Provide timely feedback to the candidate and discuss the next steps in the process. Plenty of businesses neglect this part of the process, so you'll want to get this part right, too.

The interview process is akin to a juggling act. It can feel that way, which is why setting up frameworks is key to making things easier.

Certifications and Training

Most states mandate electrician licensing, often obtained through apprenticeships or technical schools. Ongoing education and certification are key to recruiting and retaining electricians.

Transparency and great communication go a long way here. Licensing and other requirements can vary from state to state and change over time. Keep an up-to-date list for your workers so they can stay informed.

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

For companies struggling to hire electricians, consider outsourcing part or all of your recruitment process to a third party. RPO providers are cost-effective and allow for the flexibility to scale resources as needed.

Alternative options such as in-house recruiters or contingent agencies are usually more costly. Going this route would require increases in the budget. Outsourcing can cut costs and reduce complexities in the entire process.

Recruit Electricians with Hunter Recruitment Advisors

At Hunter Recruitment Advisors, we know you want the best for your company. As such, we treat every client with the utmost care by creating custom recruitment solutions for their unique needs.

We are also proud to be certified as a Minority Business Enterprise. Continuing this commitment, our team champions diversity and inclusivity in all business aspects.

Are you ready to recruit electricians? If so, contact us, and we'll be happy to help!